Category: Best of List

The Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) has seen an explosion in the food and drink scene recently with the addition of Three Heads Brewery and Nosh Restaurant. But guess what restaurant has been thriving in this area for over 20 years?  That’s right, Edibles. Located on University Avenue, Edibles has been dishing out a creative New American cuisine and delicious cocktails for years. Here are five reasons you need to visit this Rochester institution:

 

Appetizers That Amaze
Start your meal off right with some delicious apps. There are two in particular you should check out – the truffle tots and pierogi. The tots come perfectly cooked and topped with a truffle oil drizzle and a light sea salt. The bonus is the chipotle aioli dipping sauce, which has just the right amount of flavor kick. The pierogi is house made and comes topped with sour cream and caramelized onions which takes the tastes to another level.

 

Weekly Deals
Every week Edibles has some great deals that you should takeadvantage of. They include – Monday: no corkage fee – Tuesday: half priced apps at the bar (get the tots!) – Wednesday: $1 jumbo shrimp cocktail – Thursday:  $6 select cocktails/wine and $4 select beers from 5-10pm – Friday: $6 select cocktails/wine and $4 select beers from 5-7pm.  Also, they have an $8 lunch special on Monday through Saturday!

 

Chicken de Medici
This is secretly one of the best dishes in Rochester. This panko breaded chicken cutlet is topped with tomato, aged parmesan, and a tasty lemon dressed arugula. It pairs perfectly with an unoaked chardonnay.

 

Cocktails for Days
Any place that serves a cocktail called a Gummy Bear is aces in my book. Edibles has a reputation for their delicious cocktails and top notch bartenders. They usually showcase around 13 signature cocktails that are full of flavor and creativity.

 

Outdoor Seating and Overall Ambience
When the weather is cooperating, Edibles has a great outdoor eating area. Set right on the side walk of University Avenue, the overhanging trees and potted plant life form the perfect atmosphere. If the weather isn’t good, Edibles hosts a unique interior setting housed in the old Flatiron building. They have kept all the original wooden floors in tact along with a beautiful tin ceiling.

 

For more information on Edibles and to book a reservation, visit: http://ediblesrochester.com/

It’s time to spice up your weekday lunch breaks with six brilliantly tasty sandwiches. All are very different in their own way – so at least one of these will fit your taste needs. There is everything from the meat-tastic colon kicker to the vegetarian corn mash. Are we missing any of your favorite Rochester sandwiches? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @SeizeTheWeekday.

 

Berkeley
Magnolia’s
Magnolia’s is widely considered the best sandwich shop in Rochester. This can be confirmed because President Obama stopped by on his way through town. They have a lot of good sandwiches, but the king is the Berkeley. It is the perfect combination of grilled chicken, sautéed mushrooms and provolone cheese on a tasty deli roll. Get a cup of their tomato soup on the side – you won’t regret it.

 

Beef-A-Miel
Amiel’s
Two words – butter wheel. Amiel’s has a magic rolling cylinder that layers butter on a toasted buns for the Beef-A-Miel. Then they apply mounds of slow roasted beef along with any toppings you could want. For drink, go with the classic line of Hank’s gourmet sodas they have available.

 

Corn Mash
Open Face
This meatless wonder will have even the biggest carnivores addicted. Served as an open sandwich, it is lathered with a roasted corn seasoning that is mixed with red pepper. Then it is topped with melted cheddar, delicious apricot BBQ glaze and french fried onions. Get a bottle of their old school soda Moxie, which tastes like a mix of cola and root beer. There is a small amount of seating at Open Face, but the service by their employees is top notch.

 

Cuban
Georgie’s Bakery
This bakery and cafe is a hidden gem set on Clinton Avenue in the Highland Park Neighborhood. Their Cuban is topped with savory pork, ham, pickles, onions, and Swiss cheese. Even the small size sandwich is a hefty load, so be careful. The bakery also has some great breads, rolls, pastries and a Friday fish fry.

 

The Pittsburgh
Harry G’s
If you ever have been to Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh, this is the sandwich style they made famous. Sorry Primanti Brothers, but Harry G’s does it better. Their hoagie is loaded with chopped steak, melted provolone, spicy fries, coleslaw, tomato, mayo and oil. The spicy fries are really what set this sandwich apart from the originals out of the steel city.

 

Colon Kicker
Calabresella’s
Opened in 1975, this family owned deli has what some locals say is the best sandwich in the area. Enter the Colon Kicker. This monstrosity is a cheese steak wrapped with capicola, pickled hot peppers, onions, provolone cheese and crushed red pepper. It can obviously bring some heat, but the flavor is second to none. Calabresella’s is also an Italian and Greek importer so it’s a great place to get bottled peppers, sauces, olives and anything else.

 

Banh Mi
Cure
If you’ve never had one of these delicious Vietnamese sandwiches, you are truly missing out. Cure’s banh mi is created with a tasty pork sausage, country paté, pickled vegetables and a creamy mayonnaise. It is all piled on to a delicious crispy baguette. Make sure to go on a wednesday night when they have no corkage fee on wine.

 

Godfather
DiBellas
DiBellas has been a Rochester institution for years and the main reason is this Italian assorted treat. The Godfather comes with genoa salami, capicola, and spicy ham piled high on their fresh baked roles. A special add on at DiBella’s is their delicious ‘Famous Oil Dressing’. There are now several DiBella’s locations making it easy to grab this sub if you are craving it. Join their Emeal Club and DiBella’s will send you coupons for discounts on their subs.

 

 

Whether it’s the Erie Canal, Genesee River, Irondequoit Bay or Lake Ontario, Rochester has bodies of water that criss-cross the landscape. Couple these remarkable waterfront views with a good meal and you have the perfect evening. With the quality weather now in full swing, we take you through some of the best restaurants around Rochester that are set on the water. We also, of course, let you know of any weekday deals they offer to save you a couple bucks.

 

BAZIL
1384 Empire Blvd, Rochester, NY 14625
bazilrestaurantrochester.com – (585) 697-2006

Considered a casual Italian eatery, Bazil is widely known for their delicious funnel cake desserts. The other benefit of their Penfield location is the fantastic view – overlooking the Irondequoit Bay. Your best bets on the menu are the chicken parmesan, chicken french or the seafood alfredo. There is also a MacGregor’s right across the street if you are looking for a good craft beer after dinner.

 

BAYSIDE
279 Lake Road Webster
baysidepubwebster.com – (585) 323-1224

This cozy bar and restaurant is nestled in a corner of Irondequoit Bay with docks available for boaters to pull up. The menu features a selection of bar foods and tasty BBQ items. Some of the more popular foods are the chicken wings and the Bay Burger which comes loaded with a 2/3 pound patty that is dressed with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion. Make sure to check out their weekly specials such as steak night.

 

ERIE GRILL
41 N Main St Pittsford
eriegrill.com – (585) 419-3032

Part of the Del Monte Inn, the Erie Grill sits close to the canal with a nice view from their dining room. The dishes to go for are the duck meatballs, Maine lobster/polenta, bison sliders and Erie Grill salad. Make sure to grab a cocktail because their drink menu is full of interesting options like the 41 North Main. The grill is also located right across the street from the Pittsford Pub and JoJo Bistro if you are looking for additional quality watering holes. Be there on Mondays when they have $1 oysters and $5 select bubbly.

 

PELICAN’S NEST
566 River St, Rochester
pelicansnestrestaurant.com – (585) 663-5910

The Pelican’s Nest is literally right on top of the Genesee River with a spacious deck that accommodates a ton of seating. The marque items on the menu are the calamari with pepperoncinis and Pelican pasta, which is topped with chicken breast and andouille sausage. They also usually have live music so check their Facebook page for updates.

 

ALADDIN’S
8 Schoen Pl Pittsford
myaladdins.com – (585) 264-9000

Priding itself on all natural ingredients, Aladdin’s has long been one of the best Mediterranean kitchens in town. The Pittsford location has two floors of outdoor seating that cozy up tight to the Erie Canal. Go with the gyro plate that comes on mixed greens with pita chips, feta and choice of dressing. After your meal we highly recommend heading next store to Lock 32 for one of their delicious craft beers on tap.

 

LABEL 7
50 State St Pittsford
labelseven.com – (585) 267-7500

Schoen Place is one of the hot destinations in Rochester and Label 7 is one of the reasons why. The back deck has limited seating, but it is worth it for the people watching and canal view. The menu items of choice are the grilled wings, Angry Caesar, and chicken and waffles. They also have a renovated bar area that is the perfect spot to grab a cocktail. Be sure to take advantage of their ‘Napa Hour’ which is half priced select drinks and wine from 4 – 7pm.

 

PANE VINO
175 N Water St Rochester
panevinoontheriver175.com – (585) 232-6090

Situated right next to the Genesee River, Pane Vino is one of the better Italian Restaurants in the city. Their side court yard is a beautiful setting to dine while looking over the river.  The calamari and chicken french are the most talked about dishes on the menu. Other good entrees include chicken anthony, penne vodka and filet mignon. The restaurant is also right nearby Tapas 177 if you are looking for a good bar for drinks after dinner. Every Monday they have BYOB with no corkage wine nights.

 

RICHARDSON’S CANAL HOUSE
1474 Marsh Rd Pittsford
richardsonscanalhouse.com – (585) 248-5000

Richardson’s is set on a lengthy plot of land running parallel to the Erie Canal. You can take a table on their spacious patio or grab a drink to sit in chairs right next to the canal. The outside grill menu has some some nice items like the faroe island salmon and beef & veggie kebobs. They also always have some local craft beer options on tap if you are thirsty.

 

HEDGES
1290 Lake Rd, Webster
hedgesninemilepoint.com – (585) 265-3850

Hedges has been a Rochester favorite for years, boasting the best restaurant view of Lake Ontario. They are mostly known for their seafood, which is flown in fresh on a daily basis. Some of the menu highlights include the roasted prime rib of beef, Tuscan seafood pasta and seared fresh mahi-mahi. The outside area has cushioned seating to enjoy a drink while looking out over the lake.

 

SCHOONERS
40 Marina Dr, Rochester
shumwaymarine.com – (585) 342-8363

With a large deck overlooking the Genesee River, Schooners is a great spot to be in the summer. They have an excellent bar area that is covered by an open air gazebo. On the menu, the most popular items are the wings, Schooners salad and spindipper chicken wrap. Almost every night they have live music so check their website for the full schedule. There is also a beach area for kids that is great to keep them entertained.

 

CASTAWAYS
244 Lake Rd, Webster
castawaysonthelake.com – (585) 323-2943

Castaway’s has been a favorite Rochester waterfront dining spot since the 1920’s. With one of the best views of lake Ontario and huge deck space, this is a premier destination when the weather is good. Their marque menu item is the cajun rubbed blackened prime rib that comes in petite, regular and the huge anchor cut. Other dishes to try are the crab legs and chicken french.

 

GENNY BREW HOUSE
25 Cataract St Rochester
geneseebeer.com – (585) 263-9200

Once a 100 year old packaging center, the brew house is now a revitalized building with one of the most breathtaking views of the High Falls. You can choose to sit on the side porch or the roof deck, for an even better view. The menu is limited, but favorites include the Bavarian pretzels and beef on weck. They, of course, have an excellent selection of beers, with all of the tasty Genny options on tap. There is also a museum, shop and tasting room on the first floor.

 

Looking for delicious food in Rochester that doesn’t break the bank? Look no further. Here are ten local foods that are all under $10 and will deliver a new level of flavor to your taste buds.

 

1) ButaPub – Pork Belly Steam Buns, $9
315 Gregory St, Rochester, NY 14620
butapub.com – (585) 563-6241

Tucked away in the basement of the German House, the ButaPub dishes out some amazing Asian fusion cuisine. One of these delightful dishes is the pork belly steam buns. They come with hearty slices of pork, topped with a delicious togarashi mayo and fresh pickled vegetables. All stuffed in a pillowy steam bun. Come on Wednesdays when their delicious Korean chicken wings are a $1 off to save even more money!

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2) Marty’s on Park – Carolina, $9
703 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
martysmeats.com – (585) 434-3292

Marty’s is taking over the high end sandwich market with their Park Ave location and ever-popular food truck. The marque sandwich is the Carolina. This monstrosity comes with smoked pulled pork, a delicious apple coleslaw and drenched in their patented BBQ sauce. The mix of BBQ sauce and coleslaw, combine for a burst of southern flavor. Another sandwich to look out for is the banh mi when it is on the menu.

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3) Olives – Cuban Gyro, $6.79
50 State St, Pittsford, NY 14534
olivespittsford.com – (585) 381-3990

Olives is the hidden gem of Shoen Place and their cuban sandwich is their tastiest menu item. It is the perfect cross pollination of two delicious foods with unbelievable gyro meat, kasseri cheese, dill pickle, red onion and remodule sauce. All wrapped in a delightful warm pita. Olive’s also has a beautiful porch, surrounded with plant life, that provides the perfect outdoor ambiance next to the Erie Canal.

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4) Dogtown – Cincinnati Red, $3.50
691 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
dogtownhots.com – (585) 271-6620

Dogtown is the absolute king of hotdogs in Rochester and their most popular dog is the Cincinnati Red. This take on the classic chili dog starts with a Zweigle’s German frank. Then the dog is topped with real cheddar cheese and their savory dogTown sauce. All of this is stuffed into a delicious, hand cut piece of Martusciell’s bread that takes this wiener to another level of deliciousness. They also have the best ‘plate’ in town if you are looking to really fill up the tank.

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5) John’s Tex Mex – Burrito, $6.50
489 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620
facebook.com – (585) 232-5830

We couldn’t have an ‘under $10 food’ list without a burrito and John’s Tex-Mex has the best one in town. This South Wedge cantina is small in dining space, but makes up for it with huge burritos that are loaded with flavor. The menu allows you to build your own by adding four additional items besides the typical rice, beans and meat. Get ready to be full after polishing off one of these. Come on Tuesdays for $2 Mexican beer or Wednesdays for $3 American craft beer bottles and cans.

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6) Harry G’s – Pittsburgh, $9.50
678 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620
harrygsdeli.com – (585) 256-1324

Rarely do you see a restaurant outdo a signature food item from another city – but that is exactly what Harry G’s has done. Their Pittsburgh sandwich is flat out better than Primanti Brothers from the steel city. It comes loaded with chopped steak, melted provolone, spicy fries, coleslaw, tomato, mayo and oil. The spicy fries are really what set this sandwich apart from the original. Harry G’s has also recently added a bar area for your drinking pleasure.

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7) Le Petit Poutine – Poutine, $7
Location varies – food truck
lepetitpoutine.com

Go to the Rochester Food Truck Rodeo and you immediately see who the local food truck champion is. With their endless lines, it is evident that the people of Rochester love Le Petit Poutine. For good reason. Their hand cut fries are fried to perfection and then dressed with cheese curds and a sumptuous gravy. They also have add-ons like bacon (pictured above) and a breakfast poutine that puts a fried egg and sausage bits on top.

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8) Swan’s – Wurst Platter 
231 Parsells Ave, Rochester, NY 14609
swanmarket.com – (585) 288-5320

The ‘wurst’ is a plate of German heaven. Two sausages of your choice, hand crafted from the best German butcher in Upstate New York. Then you get two sides – one of which is their German potato salad that is out of this world. Come the last Thursday and Friday of the month for live music to get the full German market feel. Swan’s also just got named to Esquire Magazine’s 18 Best Bars in America list. This is most impressive because there actually isn’t a bar inside – but plenty of good German beers.

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9) Scott’s II – Breakfast Sandwich, $4
280 Union St N, Rochester, NY 14609
facebook.com

One of the Public Market’s mainstay restaurants, Scott’s II is an old school diner in peak performance. Come on Saturday morning and people are four deep waiting for their breakfast items. Their most sought after creation is the breakfast sandwich that comes equipped with a fried egg, choice of meat and cheese. These are all placed on a buttery roll that really puts this sandwich in a top tier.

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10) Magnolia’s – Obama Special, $8.99
366 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
magnoliascafe.com – (585) 271-7380

President Obama came to Rochester and he chose Magnolias. This is most likely because they have the best soup in town with their cream of tomato with artichokes and cheese. They now offer the Obama special which is a 1⁄2 sandwich of cheddar cheese on grilled sourdough bread and a cup of tomato soup. The soup and sandwich pair absolutely perfect together. Another sandwich to keep you eye on is the Berkeley which is grilled chicken, sautéed mushrooms and provolone cheese on a tasty deli roll.

Wine lovers rejoice, we present you a weekday calendar of where the best no corkage fees reside in Rochester. Bringing your own wine is a great opportunity to get a remarkable meal and leave paying a much lower bill.

 

MONDAY

 

COMPANE
80 N. Main St, Fairport, NY 14450
companebistro.com – (585) 678-4013

Best Menu Item: Wood fired pizzas
Monday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee.

 

EDIBLES
704 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
ediblesrochester.com – (585) 271-4910

Best Menu Item: Pierogi dinner.
Monday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee.

 

JOEY’S PASTA HOUSE
1789 Penfield Rd, Penfield, NY 14526
joeyspastahouse.com – (585) 586-2426

Best Menu Item: Veal and shrimp joey
Monday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee.

 

JOJO BISTRO
60 N Main St, Pittsford, NY 14534
restaurantjojo.com – (585) 385-3108

Best Menu Item: Wood fired margherita pizza.
Monday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee on wine.

 

LABEL 7
50 State St, Pittsford, NY 14534
labelseven.com – (585) 267-7500

Best Menu Item: Chicken and waffles.
Monday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee. Happy hour from 4 – 7pm with half priced select drinks and wine.

 

PANE VINO
175 N Water St, Rochester, NY 14604
panevinoontheriver175.com – (585) 232-6090

Best Menu Item: Chicken French.
Monday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee on wine.

 

TAPAS 177
177 Saint Paul St, Rochester, NY 14604
tapas177.com – (585) 262-2090

Best Menu Item: Fried calamari salad.
Monday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee on wine.

 

TUESDAY

 

LABEL 7
50 State St, Pittsford, NY 14534
labelseven.com – (585) 267-7500

Best Menu Item: Chicken and waffles.
Tuesday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee. Happy hour from 4 – 7pm with half priced select drinks and wine.

 

LEMONCELLO
137 W Commercial St, East Rochester, NY 14445
lemoncello137.com – (585) 385-8565

Best Menu Item: Lemoncello chicken.
Tuesday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee.

 

ROUX
688 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
rouxparkave.com – (585) 461-2960

Best Menu Item: Croque madame.
Tuesday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee on wine.

 

SIMPLY CREPES
7 Schoen Pl, Pittsford, NY 14534
simplycrepes.com – (585) 563-6241

Best Menu Item: Seafood crêpe.
Tuesday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee.

 

THE VESPER
1 Capron St, Rochester, NY 14607
rocthevesper.com – (585) 454-1996

Best Menu Item: Vesper Burger.
Tuesday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee, taco deals and beer specials.

 

WEDNESDAY

 

CITY GRILL
384 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
citygrillrochester.com – (585) 222-2489

Best Menu Item: Pork chop
Wednesday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee on wine, half off bottles of wine and half off egg plant stack appetizer.

 

THE CUB ROOM
739 S Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14620
thecubroomroc.com – (585) 363-5694

Best Menu Item: Pork chop.
Wednesday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee.

 

CURE
50 Rochester Public Market, Rochester, NY 14609
curebar.net – (585) 563-7941

Best Menu Item: Banh mi.
Wednesday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee on wine.

 

FIORELLA
5 Rochester Public Market, Rochester, NY 14609
restaurantfiorella.com – (585) 434-5705

Best Menu Item: Any of the pizzas.
Wednesday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee.

 

THE GATE HOUSE
274 Goodman St N, Rochester, NY 14607
thegatehousecafe.com – (585) 473-2090

Best Menu Item: Wood fired pizzas.
Wednesday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee on wine. Happy hour from 3-6pm with $2 off beer, wine and cocktails along with half priced pizzas.

 

LENTO
274 Goodman St N, Rochester, NY 14607
lentorestaurant.com – (585) 271-3470

Best Menu Item: Oysters.
Wednesday Deal: BYOB with no corkage fee on wine.

 

MONROE’S
3001 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618
monroes3001.com – (585) 348-9103

Best Menu Item: Chicken French.
Wednesday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee. Happy hour from 4-7pm with $3 domestic bottles, $4 well cocktails, $4 Sutter Home House Wine, $1 off draft beers and $1 off specialty cocktails.

 

POMODORO
1290 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
mypomodoro.com – (585) 420-7201

Best Menu Item: Linguini limone.
Wednesday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee.

 

THURSDAY

 

GOOD LUCK
50 Anderson Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
restaurantgoodluck.com – (585) 340-6161

Best Menu Item: Good Luck burger.
Thursday Deal: BYOB wine with no corkage fee.

If you are looking to save money on a night out, taking advantage of restaurants with BYOB is a smart decision. Luckily for Rochester residence, we have a multitude of eateries that allow bringing in wine on certain nights without a corkage fee. The no corkage fee is important because some restaurants will charge upwards of $20 to open wine that is brought in by patrons. To help further understand the practice of BYOB, we sought out the advice of Edibles Restaurant owner Jason Herbert. Here he lays out four guidelines of how to BYOB the right way. For a full list Rochester restaurants with BYOB nights (without corkage fees), check out this article. Edibles, by the way, hosts a BYOB every Monday night.

1. Call Ahead
   Always call the restaurant ahead of time to confirm corkage fee and so they can make a note for the reservation.
2. Bottle Amounts
   Check to make sure what the policy is on how many bottles you can take in. At Edibles for example, they accept two bottles.
3. Tipping
   Tipping should also apply to the bottle and it’s at personal discretion but a helpful guideline would be to tip on at least the lowest bottle price on the wine menu. Tip should still be based on the level of your service in regards to opening, serving, putting on ice etc.
4. Protect Your Wine
   If its summer and you want to protect your wine, bring it in an insulated bag to protect the quality.

 

What are your favorite restaurants for BYOB in Rochester? Let us know in the comments.

Having an average temperature of 48 degrees, Rochester is not known as a mecca for remarkable weather. Despite this, it does play host to a restaurant scene with some excellent outdoor dining options. Below is our list of the top spots that you should visit when the climate warms up. These restaurants were picked based on three important traits: outside view, space/tables available, and quality of food. Let us know what you think of the list in the comments or tweet us at @SeizeTheWeekday.

 

NAPA WOOD FIRED PIZZA
573 S Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14620
napawoodfired.com – (585) 232-8558

Just voted ‘best pizza’ in City Newspaper’s 2015 Best of Rochester poll, Napa has one of the finest outdoor decks in town. The sprawling patio has numerous tables and an overhang for shade, which makes for a delightful outdoor experience.
Menu Highlights: Tasty signature pizza, fire-roasted chicken wings and house made gnocchi. Good selection of craft beers on tap.

 

PANE VINO
175 N Water St, Rochester, NY 14604
panevinoontheriver175.com – (585) 232-6090

Set in the heart of the city, this classic Italian bistro has a side patio that sits right on top of the Genesee river. There are multiple tables, surrounded by plant life, that make for an elegant, ‘outdoorsy’ atmosphere.
Best Day to Visit: Monday for BYOB with no corkage fee on wine.
Menu Highlights: Chicken French, veal chops, penne vodka and filet mignon.

 

POMODORO
1290 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
mypomodoro.com – (585) 420-7201

The University Ave Pomodoro has been an attractive spot in town for a while – one reason is their outdoor patio. It recently got renovated, making it even better, with an over arching pergola, small grape vineyard and more table space.
Best Day to Visit: Wednesday for BYOB wine with no corkage fee.
Menu Highlights: Linguini limone, wood fired pizzas and cioppino.

 

MONROE’S
3001 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618
monroes3001.com – (585) 348-9103

If you are looking for an outdoor eatery with a menu that is sure to suit everyone’s pallet, Monroe’s is your place. Their stone deck is a massive space, with multiple levels and a new fountain as the centerpiece.
Best Day to Visit: Wednesday for BYOB wine with no corkage fee.
Menu Highlights: Chicken French and chicken parmesan.

 

LA CASA
93 Alexander St, Rochester, NY 14620
facebook.com – (585) 730-5025

This South Wedge cantina is somewhat hidden, but a premier destination for Mexican cuisine. Their back deck is lined with multiple picnic tables, creating the perfect setting for a margarita on a warm day.
Best Day to Visit: Monday for $5 margaritas -OR- Tuesday for $2.50 tacos -OR- Wednesday for $5 palomas -OR- Thursday for half-priced añejo tequila.
Menu Highlights: Tacos, empanadas, queso fundido and quesadillas. Excellent margaritas.

 

LENTO
274 Goodman St N, Rochester, NY 14607
lentorestaurant.com – (585) 271-3470

The Village Gate restaurant scene has exploded over the past decade, but Lento is king with their highly coveted farm-to-table kitchen. Their outdoor seating stretches out into the shared courtyard with overhanging lights – making a wonderful dining atmosphere.
Best Day to Visit: Tuesday for $1 oyster night -OR- Wednesday for BYOB with no corkage fee on wine -OR- Thursday for $5 specialty cocktails.
Menu Highlights: Oysters, duck fat frites, calamari and traditional poutine. Cocktail focused bar area.

 

LABEL 7
50 State St Pittsford
labelseven.com – (585) 267-7500

Schoen Place is one of the hot destinations in Rochester and Label 7 is one of the reasons why. The back deck has limited seating, but it is worth it for the people watching and canal view.
Best Day to Visit: Monday or Tuesday for BYOB with no corkage fee on wine
Menu Highlights: Chicken and waffles, grilled chicken wings, burger and angry ceasar salad.

 

DORADO
690 Park Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
doradoparkave.com – (585) 244-8560

There is nothing better than people watching on Park Avenue. And Dorado provides the perfect location for this sport, with tables situated right on the side walk. Grab one of their delicious margaritas and commence the watching.
Best Day to Visit: Monday through Friday from 3 – 6pm with $5 margaritas.
Menu Highlights: Fish tacos, chorizo con queso, original enchilada and seared salmon. Remarkable tequila collection with a focus on margaritas.

 

CITY GRILL
384 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
citygrillrochester.com – (585) 222-2489

The spacious deck sits right on top of the corner of East and Alexander – the epicenter of social activity in Rochester. It has plush couches and during colder nights the fire pits are lit up. It now has a huge awning over part of the deck if the sun is a bother.
Best Day to Visit: Wednesday for no corkage fee on wine, half off bottles of wine, half off egg plant stack.
Menu

 

TRATA
145 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14620
tratarochester.com – (585) 270-5460

One of the only roof top decks in town that overlooks Cobbs Hill Park and 490 (unfortunately). There is a large bar area with several high top tables for dining. At night, the roped lighting overhead sets a nice atmosphere.
Menu Highlights: Burger and fish tacos.

 

GENNY BREW HOUSE
25 Cataract St Rochester
geneseebeer.com – (585) 263-9200

Once a 100 year old packaging center, the brew house is now a revitalized building with one of the most breathtaking views of the High Falls. You can choose to sit on the side porch or the roof deck, for an even better view. There is also a museum, shop and tasting room on the first floor.
Best Day to Visit: Tuesday for $2 off growler fills -OR- Wednesday for keep the glass on a featured beer from 3pm – 6pm.
Menu Highlights: Bavarian pretzels and beef on weck. Excellent selection of beers, with all of the tasty Genny options on tap.

 

TONY D’s
288 Exchange Blvd Rochester
tonydsroc.com – (585) 340-6200

Tony D’s has become one of Rochester’s favorite restaurants due to its unique take on Italian cuisine. They have a magnificent view of the city skyline on their back porch that is heated for year round use. Tony D’s also has a remarkable wine selection that pairs nicely with their Italian entres
Menu Highlights: Bianca pizza, arancini rice balls and meatballs.

 

RICHARDSON’S CANAL HOUSE
1474 Marsh Rd Pittsford
richardsonscanalhouse.com – (585) 248-5000

Richardson’s is set on a lengthy plot of land running parallel to the Erie Canal. You can take a table on their spacious patio or grab a drink to sit in chairs right next to the canal.
Menu Highlights: Hamburger and salmon burger

 

If you are a regular reader of this website, it is no secret that Cure is one of our favorite restaurants in Rochester. This Public Market eatery has a refreshing take on seasonal French cuisine with a heavy focus on craft sausages. They are also known for their tasty cocktails that bring a creative edge to the local libation scene. Below we present our full case of support for why you should visit Cure. Get ready to make a reservation.

 

5) Thursday Prix Fixe Menu
Every Thursday they have their ‘Menu du Voyageur’ which is a prix fixe menu (in place of their regular menu) that focuses on a particular French cuisine or ingredient. For example, the latest menu focuses on duck with dishes such as cassoulet of confit duck leg and smoked duck rillettes. They stick with a certain menu for only two Thursdays and then change it up to focus on a new item. If you like to try new and creative dishes, this is for you. Each Menu du Voyageur is around $33 per person, with a wine pairing option available for an additional fee.

 

4) Sausage Heaven
Cure has made a name for itself with their savory house made sausages and the boudin blanc is their must-have piece of pork. They change up the recipe slightly from time to time, but the blanc has a French lentil puree, apples and calvados. Other featured sausages currently on the menu include a duck sausage and the merguez tagine. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

 

3) The Appetizer to End All Appetizers
Don’t let the bone marrow in the name scare you. Cure’s foie gras-bone marrow toast is an appetizer like nothing you have ever tasted before. The foie gras spread has a sumptuous flavor and a concord gastrique is drizzled on top that adds just the right amount of sweetness. It also isn’t too filling to take away from the other dishes you will eat after.

 

2) BYOB on Wednesday Nights
As if Cure wasn’t good on its own, you can save money on your bill Wednesday nights. Bring your own bottle of wine that night and they won’t charge you a corkage fee. Most restaurants charge a $20 for this service. Bring a bottle of gamay red wine such as the Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2014 ($10.99 at Lisa’s Liquor Barn) that pairs well with the dish below at #1.

 

1) The Best Banh Mi in Town
If you are a fan of these Vietnamese delicacies, Cure has the best one in Rochester. Since they are the masters of the sausage, Cure has the perfect piece of pork that is layered with a country pâté and a spicy mayo. These are all piled on to a tasty baguette and topped with pickled vegetables. It is nothing short of perfection.

 

Restaurant Info:
Cure
50 Rochester Public Market
Rochester, NY 14609
Phone:(585) 563-7941

It’s getting colder out, which means it’s the official start to ‘drinking in front of a fireplace’ season. Luckily, the Rochester restaurant scene is filled with spots that host cozy fireplace experiences. Below are some of the more popular places, along with their best dishes that can warm you up on chilly winter nights. What good restaurants and bars with fireplaces are we missing? Let us know in the comments.

 

Char
550 East Ave, Rochester
Located in the upscale Strathallan Hotel, Char is a local favorite for wood fired steaks and homemade pastas. Their modern designed space has a sheek lounge space with a delightful fireplace. Grab one of their seven signature cocktails and cozy up in the plush chairs. If you want to get a bite to eat, stick with any of the steaks on the menu. They have all the top cuts available such as ribeye, filet mignon, porter house, NY strip and sirloin.

 

Next Door by Wegmans
3220 Monroe Ave, Rochester
The Wegman’s owned restaurant is known for its unique interior design and one of the best features is the towering stone fireplace in the main dining room. Tucked in the corner, try to grab the booth that sits nearby for the best ambiance and fireplace scents. A hearty menu item for a cold night is the Next Door Bolognese which comes with a tasty blend of beef, veal, pork in a creamy tomato sauce with orecchiette. Other tasty dishes worth your time are the burger, steamed pork belly buns, and truffle mac n’ cheese. If you are thirsty, they have their own beer that is brewed by Rohrbach’s called the The Next Door Ale.

 

Otter Lodge
1776 Monroe Ave, Rochester
Brighton’s popular sports pub, the Otter Lodge features a gas fireplace in the back corner of this cozy tavern. Sit in the high top table next to the fire and get a great view of the multiple TV’s that lace the bar wall. The Otter has some of the best bar food in town and you can’t go wrong with their country sweet chicken wings. They also have a good selection of local craft beers on tap. Combine those wings with the delicious Three Heads Kind IPA and you will be in heaven.

 

 

Monroe’s
3001 Monroe Ave, Rochester
Situated in the historic Spring House, Monroe’s offers an interesting mix of New American and Italian cuisine. Get seated in the booths near the fireplace and make sure to order their delicious chicken French. Other plates to check out are the lobster mac-n-cheese and gnocchi. The bar area is a also great place to watch a game with happy hour running Monday through Saturday from 4-7 pm.

 

Richardson’s Canal House
1474 Marsh Rd, Pittsford
Mostly known for their outdoor patio overlooking the Erie Canal, Richardson is also a great winter spot due to its cozy atmosphere and multiple fireplaces. One fire is situated in the dining area and the other near the bar space. For food, get either the beef tenderloin or rack of lamb – both perfect to warm you up during chilly weather. The tenderloin comes with potato gratin, broccolini and bordelaise sauce while the lamb is served with sweet potato, apple, rosemary and parsnips.

 

Dragonfly Tavern
725 Park Ave, Rochester
Tucked back off Park Avenue, Dragonfly is a rustic designed tavern with a beautiful stone fire place as its centerpiece. Grab a craft brew and sit at the high top tables with a view of the huge television hanging over the fire. If you are hungry, pizzas are the specialty here. Go with the meat lovers pie that is absolutely loaded with pepperoni, sausage, capicola, bacon and sirloin topped with mozzarella cheese.

 

Elmwood Inn
1256 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester
This long time U of R hang out has a crackling fire right next to the bar and seating area. Get one of the two tables next it and hit up their chicken wings, burger or quesadillas. The chicken wings are some of the best in town. They also have some higher end entres like steaks and chicken French. Come on Monday nights where the special is $3 for Bud drafts and $9 pitchers of Bud.

 

City Grill
384 East Ave, Rochester
If you are looking for a more intimate dining experience, check out the side room at the City Grill. The room is accented by a classic fireplace that creates a warm and inviting setting. The chicken cutlets, egg plant stack, and wood fired pizza are the dishes of choice for a cold winter night. They also have a respectable craft beer selection to serve your ale and lager needs. Every wednesday they have BYOB with no corkage fee on wine, half off bottles of wine, half off egg plant stack.

 

ButaPub
315 Gregory St, Rochester
This trendy spot in the South Wedge just won Best New Restaurant in City Newspaper’s Best of 2015 poll. If you check out the lounge room, you will find a funky fireplace and plush seating to curl up on.  They offer a delightful selection of craft beers – with a lot of local options. For food, they have an interesting mix of Asian fusion cuisine with the pork belly buns and ramen bowls being popular choices. Also, ake sure to take advantage of their Taco Tuesday deal!